As days at the office go, there are few better than the one Crewe Alex enjoyed this weekend.

Three points, a clean sheet and a commanding performance was just what was needed to build on a super midweek win on the road.

And by the time Chris Dagnall’s second goal had hit the net, due to the kick-off being delayed while the referee decided the sodden surface was fit, we already knew that all the teams in action below Crewe had lost their matches.

In fact, David Artell’s men were the only side in the bottom half of League Two to manage a win.

Guaranteed progress, then.

The success lifted Crewe to 18th, propelled them to 45 points and increased the gap to the trapdoor to 13 points.

But it wasn’t just on Saturday that strides forward have been made.

In the last six-or-so hours of football – an awful 45 minutes against Newport aside – the Alex have looked a good side.

That constitutes their most consistent mini-run of form for some time.

Add into that the fact that they have kept three clean sheets in four, scored nine goals and picked up nine points, and their forward momentum as a football team is undeniable.

Without being outstanding against Colchester they were in control, confident and composed. In-form Dagnall provided the cutting edge and keeper Ben Garratt was not truly stretched until injury time, when the points were already in the bag.

Afterwards Artell claimed he has ‘never been worried’ about the threat of relegation. That has to be taken with a pinch of salt coming from a man who mentioned the word ‘oblivion’ several times in the first few weeks of his tenure.

But what is for certain is that the manager has shown unwavering belief in his players.

Resisting the urge to flood the place with panic signings in January, and staying calm in the face of setbacks against Hartlepool and Newport, it appears Artell has transferred his own confidence to the squad.

That is paying rich dividends. The likes of George Ray and Ben Nugent are revitalised, Dagnall is back to doing what he does best and all of their team-mates have raised their game.

Thirteen points, with 24 to play for, should be more than enough to guarantee Football League competition for next season, but it cannot be taken for granted.

Crewe have pulled away from danger because they have been putting in strong performances, and dropping their levels could easily see them drop down the standings.

It's safe to say, though, that the players thoroughly deserved the two days off their manager gave them as reward for six points in five days.